Parikshit Luthra, New Delhi: The Shah Rukh Khan starrer Chak de India is drawing full houses, but how close is it to reality?

Chakk de India an inspirational movie about overcoming your obstacles. The movie makes one think about the position of women in sports.

Kabir Khan might have given thousands a reason to dream, but how many women from the sports fraternity have actually been able to turn their dreams into reality.

Indian women have never really been encouraged to take up sports. Apart from a lack of facilities, many women feel gender bias is the root of the problem. IWHF Secretary Amrit Bose says, “There is discrimination because of gender bias.”

Talented women do not get much support even at home. Early marriage often forces them to give up sports and if that wasn’t enough, there’s a worse problem at hand - sexual harassment.

Also Read: Are You Sexually Harassed at Work?

DU Hockey Team Captain Deepali Kashyap says, “There is sexual harassment to be frank. No two ways about it.” Women also do not get as much attention as men do. “In 1989 we were not allowed to go and play in the Olympic games. We didn’t get clearance, “Kashyap added.

Lack of financial security is also a big issue. Former captain of Indian Hockey Team Sita Gosain says, “When you are old you need some sort of financial security which we don’t get.”

Though the status of women in sports is improving, there are still many female achievers who haven’t got due recognition. Given the right facilities Indian women have the ability to do wonders.